The Importance of Sexuality Education Programmes for Adolescents

Abstract

Internationally, a bifurcation exists with regard to how sexuality is taught at schools. Learners are either educated via the abstinence-only programme (AOE) or by means of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) model. These are two contradictory curricular approaches. In order for sexuality programmes to be effective, all sexual content should efficiently be covered by teachers on the primary and tertiary educational levels. Within Christian faith- based schools, it is essential to encourage abstinence, but equally important is educating learners in a comprehensive manner pertaining to sexuality education. Therefore AOE and CSE should be perceived as having compatible goals, not competing goals. As will be discussed in this theoretical paper, no evidence exists to show that providing AOE and CSE messages are confusing, contradictory, or harmful to the learner. In this theoretical paper, the importance of sexuality education taught at South African schools will be discussed. The topics of abstinence- only education and comprehensive sexuality education will also be elucidated. This paper will conclude with a summary of the major points in this manuscript.